Big Spring High School
Newville, PA 17241
Phone: (717) 776-2436
District: Big Spring School District
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades 9,10,11,12 • 764 students
Big Spring High School, a public school located in Newville, PA, serves grades 9-12 in the Big Spring School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 6 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
Big Spring High School is a public school located in Newville, PA. 764 students attend Big Spring High School.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 5/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 The Pennsylvania Keystone Exams data from Pennsylvania Department of Education, and using 2025 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment data from Pennsylvania Department of Education. |
| College Readiness | 6/10 | The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using 2019 Average SAT score data from Pennsylvania Department of Education, using 2019 Average ACT score data from Pennsylvania Department of Education, using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2025 4-year high school graduation rate data from Pennsylvania Department of Education, and using 2025 demographic data from Pennsylvania Department of Education. |
| Student Growth | 7/10 | The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Pennsylvania Department of Education. |
Posted: July 21, 2025
The principals at the high school do not do much about bullying, harrassement and stalking. Seems that it is more of a slap to the wrist and told to stop. When a parent calls to get updates on how a situation is being handled they are spoken to loudly and with attitude.
While some of the teachers and other staff are great, I feel as though there are a lot of missed opportunity to teach our children. A lot of things I learned in high school my child knew nothing about. Whether this is nation wide or just in this district, it is very upsetting.
I feel as though the school may have improved from years prior as I listen to what previous students and parents have told me, however there is still a lot of room for growth.
Posted: July 21, 2025
Posted: July 21, 2025
Posted: July 21, 2025
Posted: July 21, 2025
Posted: July 21, 2025
Posted: July 21, 2025
Posted: July 24, 2018
Posted: July 24, 2018
I had great experiences with the principals - they were very involved with the student body and their activities.
Posted: July 24, 2018
Posted: July 24, 2018
Posted: July 24, 2018
I had an incredible experience at Big Spring (Elementary through High School) and wouldnt have traded my time there for anything or anywhere else. No school is perfect, but all I have are good memories from my time at Big Spring. I feel like I was very prepared for university studies. The teachers and adminstration do a great job of providing opportunities for learning and achievement, and its up to the students to take it from there.
Posted: July 24, 2018
Posted: July 24, 2018
My teachers were all caring and willing to help students excel in their classes.
Posted: June 19, 2018
Posted: June 19, 2018
Posted: June 19, 2018
Posted: June 19, 2018
Posted: June 19, 2018
Posted: June 19, 2018
Posted: June 19, 2018
5/5 the students and staff are extremely helpful and respectful.
Posted: August 4, 2017
Posted: August 4, 2017
Posted: August 4, 2017
They never do anything about bullying. They usually just make the bully apologize to the victim like it's Kindergarten.
Posted: August 4, 2017
Sometimes teachers would just yell at people for stupid things or punish people that don't deserve it. They also don't do anything about bullying.
Posted: August 4, 2017
Not a lot of respect in this school.
Posted: August 4, 2017
If they would actually do something about bullying, then the school would be better. Teachers usually just sit around and let/watch it happen.
Posted: August 4, 2017
Posted: January 19, 2016
Posted: January 19, 2016
Posted: January 19, 2016
Big spring is quickly falling along with all the other schools, where technology is interfering in the classroom so much that the internet is teaching where the teachers should be. My children currently attend this school and are showing signs of being technology dependent in school. I had to teach them how to use a dictionary! Yes i mean the book!! I HAD to teach them to sign their names in cursive because well school doesn't do that anymore!!! I mean come on! We sign our names for everything, and a dictionary is a great asset to know and have. But if it doesn't light up and give you everything you and a tap or click, well I guess then it's not a asset to big spring school district anymore. Why even have teachers?? Why pay them? To babysit, because that's pretty much what school seems like these days. Learning has went down the drain everywhere, and it's sad to see BSSD follow:(
Posted: January 19, 2016
I think there could be more one in one with students. More interaction, more learning from the teacher
Posted: April 27, 2010
Here the teachers are wonderful, however, the funding that different departements recieve and the fact that everything is based off of PSSA's is absolutely unnecessary.
Posted: October 20, 2009
Posted: January 15, 2009
Posted: February 18, 2008
Posted: January 9, 2008
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Ridge II | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Carlisle | PA | 11.2 mi | |
| 2 | Good Hope Farms South | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Mechanicsburg | PA | 21.6 mi | |
| 3 | Waterside | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Frederick | MD | 49.4 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Carlisle Barracks | 11.2 mi. |
| Letterkenny Army Depot | 19.6 mi. |
| NSA Mechanicsburg | 21.4 mi. |
| New Cumberland Army Depot | 28.4 mi. |
| Fort Indiantown Gap | 46.2 mi. |
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